This album starts off with “Fine Fine Day”, and this is the sort of upbeat and all out country rocker that I wanted to heat from these guys. It’s straightforward, it’s fun, and for the most part it sounds like Banditos really haven't changed that much. It’s got the same sort of wild feel to it, but it hols it own still and comes off like this was still very well planned. There are some country cliches and all here and there, but to be honest it adds to the very raucous attitude of this one. It’s a seriously fun track with some very fun and wild performances. And while I do really love the solo and the wild feel to this, I could have gone for even a more wild and off the rails sound. But for an intro, hell yes this works, I couldn’t have asked for much more. “Strange Heart” up next however takes a turn for the seriously bizarre, and probably the last ting I expected to hear here. I get that they’re going for more of a spacey sound, but I really don’t think the world is ready for Psychedelic Country. What follows is certainly pleasant and airy, but fir me this isn’t nearly what I’m used to hearing from Banditos. The vocals are certainly commendable and are actually pretty stunning. But as far as the instrumentals go, I really have some serious issues sinking my teeth into this one. However I do enjoy a whole lot of the small details. Not to mention, I do think they’re on to something with this sort of mystic and dark Alternative Country sound. It’s a sound that really hasn’t been looked into that much, and they may certainly have something with this in the future. Banditos really aren’t giving up on it either with “Visionland”, at all. This track is some straight up jam band material here. And while the vocals and harmonies actually do come out really well, I feel like instrumentally this is just way too hazy for my liking. Hell, this would be too dreamy and hazy for the most talented Alternative Country or Garage Rock bands. Not to mention, the chorus on “Visionland” completely falls flat, and barely ends up even feeling like a chorus. Even the lyrics here are tripped out and drug fueled which is seriously bizarre. I may be all for breezy and dreamy music, but this one seriously comes off disjointed. To the point where when Banditos break out a straight up country jam up next with “Think N’ Thin”, I’m ecstatic. To be honest, it’s just so nice to freakin’ hear Banditos back in their element with a sound they’re not desperately grabbing for. It’s got a decent groove to it, and I like the low key and sort of mellow vibe to this even though it’s fairly upbeat. Even vocally, Banditos clearly have brought their A game. It’s not nearly as wild or Garage Rock oriented. But it’s certainly well done. However, Banditos are still sticking with a slightly more gloomier sound that you could have seen coming from a mile away by looking at that album cover.
Banditos however are stuck on this very breezy and dreamy sound. With “Healin’ Slow”, once again the vocals here are seriously top notch and impressive. But oh my GOD, everything else on this one is a complete snooze fest. I can deal with a ballad, hell I can even deal with slow and soft tracks. But there is absolutely nothing about “Healin’ Slow” that’s even the slightest bit interesting. The five and a half minutes here to be honest go by like a damn eternity. The instrumentals here are patience testing, and overall I have absolutely no clue what Banditos were thinking. Thankfully though, Banditos bounce back with one of the best tracks here by far, “Lonely Boy”. There’s almost a Cow-Punk/Flower-Punk feel to this, fans of old school Black Lips are certainly going to grab on to this instantly. If Banditos are going to continue going for a more retro sound, this is certainly the way to go. There are tons of classic rock vibes on “Lonely Boy” within that riff and those harmonies which are some of the best on the album. When I hear tracks like this, I feel like if Banditos stuck with this sound they could easily produce a seriously classic album. Vocally there is just so much going on here that’s pure gold. Plus, there’s just enough country influence in there to keep their fan base pleased. “Fun All Night” continues to stay away from the Psych roots that we heard earlier. But here, they just go way too hard into the country realm. Which honestly, really shouldn’t be a bad thing at all. But come on, this is seriously disgustingly cheesy. And that’s on all fronts, from the ridiculously goofy instrumentals that include a damn kazoo, to the the seriously cringe worthy lyrics that I really couldn’t take seriously to save my life. Banditos continue to have so much potential, and waste it on tracks like this. I do however, really love the subtleness of “When It Rains”. Some of these more subdued vocals here come off seriously well. What’s interesting though is just how much this sounds like a completely different band. I like the dreary mood to all of this, no pun intended but this is seriously a rainy day track. But for the most part, this really doesn't have much country in it. Just the opposite, this sort of just comes off as a solid indie jam. The instrumental is deep and vast, and I really love the change in tone here. “When It Rains” is seriously bluesy and fantastic.
“Still and Quiet” for a softer tune certainly comes off better, thats mostly because of some of these instrumentals that are actually interesting, bizarre huh! I do like the smokey performances here, as well as some of the very intricate instrumentals. But I feel like this one is just a little unorganized. Don’t get me wrong, all of the pieces are here, but the verses and the choruses and instrumentals seem to be seriously at war with one another. And that seriously takes a lot away for me sadly. “Still and Quiet” seems to seriously take the wind out of itself every time it really gets going. However, Banditos do end up end this album on an extremely positive note. Where the hell even was “DDT” this entire album? Like, this is literally the exact sound that I’ve been waiting to hear from them the from the first track. It’s the sort of upbeat, fun, Country tinged jam that I love to hear from Banditos. I love the sort of gruff vocals and the wild performances, which lead to some seriously fantastic vocal harmonies. It’s blaring, it’s passionate, this track seriously rules all around.
Rating: 6.6/10
Give A Listen To: "When It Rains", "Thick N Thin", "Lonely Boy”, “DDT”
Overall Rating: You know, I had serious hope for this album. Banditos in so many places show so much potential with some of their more wild and upbeat performances. But all of these Psychedelic and breezy tracks on here, come on, they're awful for the most part. Some of the grittier and more blues centered moments are seriously good, but overall this is sort of just alright. I do however really think they're on to something with going for a drearier Country sound, it's just not quite there yet.
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